Major Manufacturers Close Plants

A growing number of tire manufacturers have announced plant closures in the wake of the global pandemic.

Goodyear recently issued this statement: “In response to the sudden decline in market demand resulting from the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company plans to suspend Americas manufacturing through at least April 3 or until further notice.

“A phased shut down will begin across the company’s tire, retread and chemical plants in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and the United States over the coming days. Its facility in Peru was closed earlier this week.”

Michelin has announced a one-week shutdown of its European plants, while Bridgestone is planning a temporary phased shutdown of its manufacturing facilities in North America and Latin America, set to begin the weekend of March 21.

Bridgestone hopes to be back up and running on or before Sunday, April 12, adding that the company has sufficient supply of product to meet customer demand and that its distribution centres, plant warehouses and logistics teams will continue to fill orders.